Canadian couple go the distance

After 3 trips across the “pond” my wife and I finally completed the South West Coast Path in October 2017. Originally we were just looking for something a little more civilised than our usual trips on our native Vancouver Island, where thick bush, ice and snow, heavy packs, rotten food and smelly tents are the norm. However, it didn’t take more than a few hours out of our original start point at Port Isaac in 2013 before we knew that we were in this for the duration. All those endless seascapes, impossibly lovely coves and fishing villages, comfy digs and good food are not a difficult sell, especially after the rigours of Island hiking.

Altogether it took us 55 days and 3 visits to get from Minehead to South Haven Point including some rest and short days. For those in the planning stage, our complete itinerary was is written out below. The odd missing days between Instow and Clovelly in 2015 were the result of a family bereavement. We filled them in in 2017.

2013

Sept 28-Oct 12. Port Isaac to the Helford Estuary (south side)

2015

Sept 26-Oct 01. Minehead to Instow

Oct 05-Oct 10. Clovelly to Port Isaac

Oct 13-Oct 19 Helford Estuary (north side) to Cremyll

2017

Sept 09-10. Instow to Clovelly

Sept 14-Oct 02. Cremyll to South Haven Point

We used Luggage Transfers throughout and can’t say enough about their excellent service. Our favourite accommodation was the Cricket Inn in Beesands followed closely by Warren House in Chideock and the Harbour Lights Guesthouse in Weymouth. There were some less than favourites but as our Mums taught us, if you can’t say something good about something, don’t say anything at all! Hardest day in my opinion was Crackington Haven to Tintagel. Easiest; Braunton to Instow.

Ann and Martin Smith, Canada